#LTAFamous: Tony Thomas

“My coffee with Tony at Hotel Haya was amazing. How did we fit such a rich, meaningful conversation into just an hour? Truth is—we didn’t! After a quick lesson in civil vs. mechanical engineering, we dove into the smoking stuff. No, not tobacco…we’re talking BBQ. I learned that his Tampa Chamber journey started with the thoughtful guidance of our very own Roseanne Versaggi. Then came stories of freshwater and saltwater aquariums, wine-making, Darlington, dixie cups and his passion for teaching. Too tough to tame! We wrapped up with a hug, and I hopped on the trolley back to the office—what a special way to start the day!” -Laura Frost

1. Tell us, why LTA? (for you, what separates LTA from other business leadership programs?)

I moved to Tampa in February of 2019 and was selected into the LT 2020 class that same spring. Membership in LTA was an extremely easy decision given that I was still relatively new to the area and the Covid-19 pandemic shortened our class year. Therefore, I graduated still having the burning urge to not only learn more about Tampa and the surrounding area, but to also dive into the relationships that were developed throughout the program days with both classmates and the organizations that were introduced during the class year.

The more I became involved with LTA, I began to see that I was a part of an organization where its members really have developed long lasting, genuine relationships. The collaboration within the community and dedication to service that I have witnessed, and had the opportunity to participate in, has filled a void I left in Charleston, SC and consistently allows me to work beyond my comfort zone both professionally and personally.

2. Describe a time when the LTA experience impacted your life or career?

I would have to briefly talk about my experience during Healthcare Program Day of 2020 to answer this question; of course, not revealing much. Our visit to Moffit was unique in that we had the opportunity to see firsthand some of the cancer research areas. That is about all that I will say.

Condensed story for publication: In 2023 my mother-in-law became extremely ill in a matter of just a couple of days. The full gamut of testing ended with a rare case of cancer with no previous symptoms. Surgery was suggested by a very reputable research hospital in South Carolina. The planning with post-surgery treatment led to the decision that our family or just my wife would have to move back to SC immediately; to temporarily support her mother with post-surgery care, appointments, etc. As you can imagine this was going to be a major change for our family. What do you do?

I talked to my wife again about how impressed I was with the research Moffit was conducting right here in Tampa. Long story short, we convinced my mother-in-law to move in with us, surgery performed at Moffit, and 6 months later we were able to take her back to SC cancer free with a full recovery.

Now that the backdrop is painted, what does that have to do with answering the question? Well, someone was a mentor to me and guided me through getting involved with the Chamber and then through LT; all very quickly. Therefore, as a member of LTA, I actively offer my time and mentorship each year to as many potential LT candidates as possible.

 The objective is to assist individuals in preparing to present themselves as qualified candidates for the next “best class ever,” recognizing that participation in the program may lead to transformative career or life experiences. In turn, fostering a strong motivation to engage actively with LTA and continue their professional development within the organization.

3. What is an LTA benefit you wish everyone knew about?

It is hard not to talk about the membership of LTA. I still consider myself new to the Tampa area and I do not know of any other organization where I could have met such a diverse group of professionals in such a brief period. Conversations are always easy and networking is top tier.

 Fun Facts About You/Local Knowledge:

•   Favorite spot to meet friends/colleagues for coffee, lunch, or happy hour----- Midtown is a popular spot to meet with some of my college friends to catch up.
•   For staycation in Tampa Bay, you like to……Fort Desoto Beach is our happy place for a full day of relaxation. We take tents, cooler with non-alcoholic drinks, snacks, and cannot forget the Pub Subs. What else do you need?
•   When out-of-town guests are visiting, you plan…. There’s typically pizza for lunch at Due Amici Pizza and Pasta Bar in Ybor followed by a trolley ride to Sparkman Wharf. There is always the possibility of a quick stop at Rick’s on the River for some oysters before heading home.
•   Any upcoming initiatives/passion projects we need to know about? Following the theme of LT experiences, Outreach Programming Day (OPD) helped fill another void from South Carolina. Some fellow engineers and I started an afterschool STEM Program at an elementary school in North Charleston, SC in 2017 thru the National Society of Black Engineers. I felt an immediate connection at Sulphur Springs K-8 Community School during OPD and the light bulb in my head grew brighter than ever. I’m happy to say that although postponed by the Covid-19 pandemic the first year of Tony’s STEM Camp was completed during the 2024-2025 school year. 
  It's a little secret, however I may or may not have shown up to the school over the years as a surprise guest with escort in the month of December.
•   What’s something about you we would be surprised to learn? It’s likely not a surprise if you talk to me long enough, but I love cooking. I grew up with a grandmother that believed food was a pathway to the soul. She not only believed in the art of preparing food, she also believed in passing down the tradition of gardening and farming. If I’m at home on the weekends, you can find me relaxing to some tunes in the back yard with the sweet aroma of something amazing seasoned to perfection on one of my smokers.

Questions: Laura Frost, [email protected]